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themadmadmadeline's review against another edition
4.0
Really fascinating read with well-written vignettes and anecdotes on the impending changes of American diplomacy. I wish I wasn’t so ignorant when it comes to foreign policy (truth be told, I barely know anything about it) but this was a solid read. Highly recommend for anyone who is even remotely interested in the world around them.
booksunderthewoods's review against another edition
5.0
An excellent examination of American diplomacy throughout the past few decades and it’s current trajectory. It was both immensely educational and thoroughly enjoyable to read. If you have an interest in foreign policy or the future of America’s position in the world, I could not recommend this book highly enough.
citizen_noir's review against another edition
3.0
Ronan Farrow is without a doubt the best investigative journalist of the past decade, perhaps even of this century, so far. His relentless pursuit of Harvey Weinstein not only shed light on the transgressions of Hollywood's most powerful men, but unleashed the entire Me Too movement, something that continues to reverberate through society today. Not bad for someone who isn't even 31 yet!
Perhaps more surprising, journalism is the second career for Farrow. He already had a full career in the State Department, working closely with Richard Holbrooke during the Obama Administration. WAR ON PEACE: THE END OF DIPLOMACY AND THE DECLINE OF AMERICAN INFLUENCE is part autobiography of his time in the State Department, part history of the State Department, itself, and also part analysis of the repercussions due to the decline of American diplomacy. Farrow's stories are interesting and funny, and his larger message about the result of America's failures in diplomacy are harrowing. While I enjoyed the book, I felt like it was a bit of an afterthought for Farrow. I wonder if he started it before the Weinstein scandal broke and then tried to finish it, even though his career had veered into new areas.
Perhaps more surprising, journalism is the second career for Farrow. He already had a full career in the State Department, working closely with Richard Holbrooke during the Obama Administration. WAR ON PEACE: THE END OF DIPLOMACY AND THE DECLINE OF AMERICAN INFLUENCE is part autobiography of his time in the State Department, part history of the State Department, itself, and also part analysis of the repercussions due to the decline of American diplomacy. Farrow's stories are interesting and funny, and his larger message about the result of America's failures in diplomacy are harrowing. While I enjoyed the book, I felt like it was a bit of an afterthought for Farrow. I wonder if he started it before the Weinstein scandal broke and then tried to finish it, even though his career had veered into new areas.
katiebellmoore's review against another edition
3.0
Loved the subject matter. Felt like Farrow brought insight into foreign diplomacy from the bottom up rather than only former Secretary of State biographies. That being said, I found the writing style disjointed, confusing and hard to follow at times.
adamrbrooks's review against another edition
4.0
Disclaimer: I only read about one-third of this book.
Found it very interesting, especially the thesis he lays out compellingly early on: That "mil-think" has replaced diplomacy for the U.S., and it's damaging our relationships around the world and our ability to manage foreign affairs (especially our endless wars).
The writing and stories are interesting, but also get too much into the weeds. I learned much more about Richard Holbrooke's individual meetings than needed to get the point. There are likely other fascinating people in here, but it felt like it could have been boiled down a bit more.
I'd pick it up again, and I'd read more Farrow.
Found it very interesting, especially the thesis he lays out compellingly early on: That "mil-think" has replaced diplomacy for the U.S., and it's damaging our relationships around the world and our ability to manage foreign affairs (especially our endless wars).
The writing and stories are interesting, but also get too much into the weeds. I learned much more about Richard Holbrooke's individual meetings than needed to get the point. There are likely other fascinating people in here, but it felt like it could have been boiled down a bit more.
I'd pick it up again, and I'd read more Farrow.
scorbett3's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
3.75
Incredibly informative but chilling to read about the loss of diplomacy only to be replaced by military might driven by powerful and rich.
kathywadolowski's review against another edition
4.0
It's not like I wasn't already kind of cynical about the direction this country is heading. But man, did this book scare me. Farrow fleshed out so, so many examples of the need for diplomacy and, even more importantly in my view, how wrong things can go when it is shoved aside. But I think the most poignant lesson I got from this book was that diplomacy, at its core, is compromise. There is no perfect deal, and using diplomacy by its very nature demands that you must be willing to offer something to the other side. Otherwise, what is the point? And what is the point of trying to navigate a global stage if you *don't* have diplomacy. I'm more afraid than ever, after reading this book, that the rest of the world will just leave us behind, because eventually they will not need us. Yikessss. 4.5/5
clwils982's review against another edition
5.0
I did the audiobook. I will gladly let Ronan Farrow explain things to me in THAT VOICE for the rest of my life. And the book is super relevant to today times.
msilverjr's review against another edition
3.0
A well researched and topical book. I would have given it four stars, but this book's writing was just too frenetic.